Designation of Critical Habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment (ID369)

Title and Description:

Designation of Critical Habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment

Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act requires the designation of critical habitat for threatened and endangered species and designations must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available. We are obtaining peer review of the biological report and the economic analysis that will inform the designation of critical habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment.

ID: 369 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date: 8/1/2017
Actual Dissemination Date: 11/1/2017
Contact Person: Tracy Miller Get contact information

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda: 4/11/2017
Estimated Peer Review Start Date: 3/1/2017
Review type: Iindividual letters.
Number of reviewers: 4-10.

Peer reviewers will be designated by the agency.

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers? no

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed? Yes.
How: The proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale DPS will be published in the Federal Register and a public comment period will be provided on the proposal prior to publication of the final rule. Electronic copies of the proposed rule (and the reports that support the rule) will be available upon publication at http://www.regulations.gov.

When: Public comments will be received within 60 days of publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register.

Will the agency provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before they conduct their review? no.

Primary disciplines or expertise needed in the review: Marine mammal biologists familiar with cetacean biology, ecology, and habitat needs; economists familiar with analyzing potential impacts of critical habitat designations.